February 2018
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Eighty nine percent of the victims do not have a
known political affiliation. This is evidence
ordinary people are being targeted for
victimisation rather than those who have a known
political affiliation. Political parties are more
concerned with recruiting new members and
hence the terror tactics targeted at fence sitters
rather than known hardliners. Those aligned to
G40 might not want their political affiliation
known since they are on the receiving end of all
sorts of violations at the hands of Lacoste faction
members who are claiming revenge.
extreme case a traditional leader fined a villager
three chickens on allegations that the villager is an
MDC-T supporter. As the country enters the
election period such cases are expected to rise.
Police Brutality
The police once again acted contrary to their
constitutional obligations to protect human life
and property when called upon to restore order.
Disproportionate force was used in skirmishes
involving public transport operators and police
after an ultimatum was issued to transport
operators to vacate the central business district of
Harare. Three people were killed after police used
live ammunition in discharging their duties. In
Bulawayo police used heavy handed tactics to
disperse protesting National University of Science
and Technology (NUST) students when they
released dogs. The ZPP calls for the establishment
for an independent commission of enquiry to
investigate the conduct of the police in these
cases.
Increased intra-party violence and violence
against others
Political activists, traditional leaders and in a
curious case, a retired senior police officer
Assistant Commissioner Edmore Veterai who is
eyeing a parliamentary seat in Bikita are accused
of demanding serial numbers. This practice has
been condemned by both ZEC and the police. ZPP
has noted that there has been a conviction in
Masvingo concerning violence centred on
collection of serial numbers and believes more
could be done considering the practice is
widespread.
Minimum demands for zero tolerance to all forms of
violence in elections 2018
Create an enabling political environment free from
Intolerance on the rise
intimidation, harassment and threats conducive for the
conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2018
Political intolerance is on the rise. Cases of
intimidation and harassment and even assault of
those wearing regalia of dissenting political views
were reported. A case of Zanu PF supporters who
were intimidated for wearing t-shirts emblazoned
with the face of former President Robert Mugabe
was recorded. Several MDC-T supporters were
assaulted for wearing regalia with Tsvangirai’s
face while others were assaulted for expressing
their political leader preferences within the MDCT. A shop owner in Marondera was threatened for
playing pro-MDC songs in his shop. In Gokwe
and Mashonaland West bans on political meetings
of opposition parties were imposed while in an
Enforce measures for perpetrators to account for their
actions to eliminate political and/or electoral violence
Establish and enforce the operationalisation of
investigative committees and multi-party liaison
committees
Desist using hate language and slogans that perpetuate
conflict and avoid using food and other aid to influence
the electorate
Stop traditional leaders, and security agents from
instilling fear in the electorate and encourage the
establishment of electoral resolution mechanisms
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